Parts counting device, parts counting program, and parts counting method of 3-dimensional arrangement adjustment cad

ABSTRACT

A quantity totalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD includes integrating means for referring to parts information stored in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and associating line information, which is separated from the parts information for storage and which is unique to a line, with the parts information to generate integrated information in which the quantity of parts is totalized; numbering means for systematically numbering the integrated information and outputting a quantity totalization result; and comparing means for comparing the quantity totalization result output by the numbering means with a parts number column in a design drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check the parts having the same parts information and line information against each other and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in the design drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantity totalization result output by the numbering means. With the above structure, it is possible to provide the quantity totalizer, a quantity totalizing program, and the quantity totalizing method for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, which are capable of improving the efficiency of the quantity totalization in the design with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and performing accurate parts management and design management while reducing the design cost.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a quantity totalizer, a quantitytotalizing program, and a quantity totalizing method for athree-dimensional 10 arrangement and adjustment computer-aided designsystem (CAD), which are adopted to totalize the quantity of parts storedin the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD. Thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD arranges the parts in athree-dimensional space to produce a design drawing.

BACKGROUND ART

Three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADs are design tools, eachhaving a function of arranging parts selected from a parts library,which is the database for storing a parts data group, in athree-dimensional virtual space with a graphics interface and ofoutputting the information concerning the arrangement of the parts as adesigns drawing.

The information concerning the arrangement of the parts is stored in anarrangement information database in a three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD. In the quantity totalization for classifying thearranged parts and totalizing the total number of the parts, countableparts (such as valves and joints) in the arrangement informationdatabase are counted and the total length of uncountable parts (parts,such as pipes, which are purchased in units of a fixed length andadjusted to a length for use after the procurement) is calculated toproduce a quantity sheet.

Accordingly, checking the design drawing produced with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD against the quantitysheet can provide detailed information concerning the parts arranged inthe design drawing.

A known quantity totalizer stores the data in a three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD and attribute data, which is theinformation indicating the attribute of each object and which isassociated with the data in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, and classifies equipment or the like based on theattribute data extracted by an attribute-data extracting unit (forexample, Japanese Unexamined Patent Laid-open (KOKAI) Publication HEINo. 9-179891).

However, detailed information is given to each part stored in a partslibrary in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and,thus, an enormous amount of data is stored in the parts library. As aresult, it takes an increased amount of time to manage, for example,add, modify, or delete, the data concerning the parts. In addition, theincreased amount of data in the parts library tends to disadvantageouslycause errors at a time of inputting the data.

In the design with known three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCADs, there are cases in which three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CADs that output the quantity totalization results and thedrawings as a set are used and cases in which three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CADs that output only the quantity sheets,apart from the design with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, are used. In the case of the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CADs that output only the quantity sheets,the drawings are not associated with the quantity sheets. Even in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADs that output thequantity totalization results and the drawings as a set, since the partsin the design drawings are separately numbered for every drawing, theparts numbers common to all the drawings cannot be systematicallyassigned. For example, different parts number is assigned to the samepart for every design drawing. Accordingly, there is a disadvantage of,for example, not being capable of directly and exclusively associatingall the parts in all the drawings with the quantity totalizationresults.

Furthermore, different types of three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CADs are often used in different design fields (pipes, cabletrays, steel products, and ducts) and, therefore, a unique data formator a unique quantity totalization function is used for everythree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD. Consequently, it isdifficult to provide a common data format and a common quantitytotalization function or to standardize the data format and the quantitytotalization function, and it is also difficult to integrate thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADs with each other tocollectively perform the quantity totalization.

In the design with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCADs, various types of forms are required in each section according tothe purpose. Separate preparation of the various types of formsdiversifies the forms to make the preparation and management of theforms complicated. As a result, it is likely to cause errors in thepreparation and management of the forms. This is not acceptable with theobject of the design management and the reduction in cost.

However, since known three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADsonly show which parts are arranged in the three-dimensional space, theyare not suitable for preparation of the forms, such as specifications orpurchase orders, required after the arrangement and adjustment.

When known design tools are used, it is difficult to smoothly reflectthe revisions resulting from design changes in the quantity totalizationresult. For example, piping design undergoes many revisions due todesign changes and the parts are frequently added or deleted. Quantitytotalization systems accommodated to such frequent design changes havenot been developed and, thus, it takes a much amount of time to completethe piping design.

Since all the data concerning the accessories of the parts must be inputin the database in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD,an enormous amount of data is stored in the parts library.

In view of the actual arrangement or procurement of parts in plantconstruction, there are the following problems:

(1) There is a problem of advance procurement of the material of theparts. The quantity totalization with the three-dimensional arrangementand adjustment CAD is performed as a preliminary step for theprocurement. That is, the arrangement and adjustment must be completedin the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD before theprocurement of the parts.

Practically, since it is necessary to procure the parts and the materialat an earlier stage due to the delivery date or process, the parts areoften procured before the specifications are determined. However, knownthree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADs, which adopt automaticnumbering, have no way to resolve this contradiction. Hence, thequantity totalization is forestalled and is actually used only forconfirming the difference between the advance procurement and thequantity totalization.

(2) There is a problem of bulk purchase of the parts and material. Sincethe quantity totalization results are output for every specification ofthe parts in known quantity totalizing methods with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADs, only the number ofthe parts calculated for every specification can be yielded.

However, practically, with the object of easiness of the arrangement andprocurement, the bulk purchase in which compatible parts arecollectively purchased with the parts having higher specification isfrequently performed in spite of being rather out of specification. Inthe quantity totalization with known three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CADs, it is not possible to collectively totalize themultiple parts in different groups.

(3) Another problem concerns a method of calculating the number ofuncountable parts with a yield rate being considered. In the quantitytotalization method with known three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CADs, the total length of the uncountable parts is simplyoutput for every specification and the yield rate is not considered.Furthermore, there is no method of totalizing the parts purchased inunits of fixed length while considering the yield rate of the parts.

(4) Known quantity totalizing methods with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CADs suppose that the quantity totalizationis performed after the design with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CADs is completed and the parts numbers are numbered forevery specification. Hence, there is a problem of causing a criticalpath in that the design must be completed with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CADs before the procurement.

In order to resolve the above problems, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a quantity totalizer, a quantity totalizingprogram, and a quantity totalizing method for a three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD, which are capable of improving theefficiency of the quantity totalization in the design with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and performing accurateparts management and design management while reducing the design costand the time required for the design work.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a quantitytotalizer, a quantity totalizing program, and a quantity totalizingmethod for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, which arecapable of considering advance arrangement and procurement of parts andimproving a yield rate.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to resolve the above problems, a quantity totalizer for athree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, according to thepresent invention, is characterized by including integrating means forreferring to parts information stored in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD and associating line information, whichis separated from the parts information for storage and which is uniqueto a line, with the parts information to generate integrated informationin which the quantity of parts is totalized; numbering means forsystematically numbering the integrated information and outputting aquantity totalization result; and comparing means for comparing thequantity totalization result output by the numbering means with a partsnumber column in a design drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD to check the parts having the same partsinformation and line information against each other and replacing partsnumbers in the parts number column in the design drawing produced withthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbersin the quantity totalization result output by the numbering means.

The parts information preferably includes a parts type and a size in thequantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD preferably further includes, when uncountable parts areprocessed, reducing means for dividing the length of the uncountableparts by a fixed length of countable parts for reduction to the numberof the countable parts having the fixed length when the uncountable partis longer than the fixed length and for summing up the lengths of theuncountable parts until the fixed length is given for reduction to thenumber of the countable parts having the fixed length when theuncountable part is shorter than the fixed length.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD may include converting means for converting the partsinformation stored in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCADs of different types into a uniform data format to collectivelymanage the converted parts information.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD may include checking means for checking the integratedinformation against a past quantity totalization result to number partsthat have not been numbered.

A quantity totalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD, according to the present invention, is characterized by includingintegrating means for referring to parts information stored in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and associating lineinformation, which is separated from the parts information for storageand which is unique to a line, with the parts information to generateintegrated information in which the quantity of parts is totalized;numbering means for systematically numbering the integrated informationand outputting a quantity totalization result; comparing means forcomparing the quantity totalization result output by the numbering meanswith a parts number column in a design drawing produced with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check the partshaving the same parts information and line information against eachother and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in thedesign drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantity totalization resultoutput by the numbering means; extracting means for classifying theparts into automatically numbered parts and manually numbered parts andextracting the parts information and the line information, concerningthe manually numbered parts, from a database in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD for check; and manually-numbering meansfor manually numbering the parts having the parts information and theline information extracted by the extracting means.

Attribute information concerning the parts, extracted and checked by theextracting means in order to determine the parts manually numbered bythe manually-numbering means, preferably includes all of a line name, aparts type, and a size or includes only the parts type and the size inthe quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD.

The parts information may be integrated with the line information, whichare extracted by the extracting means, to produce a parts list; at leastone parts number that is determined in advance may be manually input inthe parts list by the manually-numbering means; and the manually inputdata may be reflected in the parts number column in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD.

The integrating means may refer to the line information and the databasein the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, in which themanually input data input by the manually-numbering means is reflected,to separate the automatically numbered parts from the manually numberedparts and may totalize the number of countable parts and the totallength of uncountable parts to produce the quantity totalization result.The integrating means may separate the automatically numbered parts fromthe manually numbered parts for quantity totalization; may compare theinformation before a revision with the information after the revision;and may add a shortfall before the revision to the information after therevision when the number of parts before the revision is smaller thanthe number of parts after the revision.

A symbol indicating that a yield rate is considered, the symbol beingattribute information, may be added to the line information to separateparts for which the yield rate is considered from parts for which theyield rate is not considered; the parts information and the lineinformation concerning uncountable parts stored in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD may be extracted by theextracting means for check to determine the uncountable parts for whichthe yield rate is considered; true lengths, which are the actual lengthsof the uncountable parts, may be calculated by the reducing means forthe uncountable parts for which the yield rate is considered; and extralengths, which is the difference between the true lengths and a fixedlength at the time of purchase, input in advance, may be calculated.

A symbol indicating that a yield rate is considered, the symbol beingattribute information, may be added to the line information to separateparts for which the yield rate is considered from parts for which theyield rate is not considered; the parts information and the lineinformation concerning uncountable parts stored in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD may be extracted by theextracting means for check to determine the uncountable parts for whichthe yield rate is considered; a fixed length, which is the length of theuncountable parts at time of purchase, may be input by themanually-numbering means; the fixed length may be subtracted from truelengths, which are the lengths of the uncountable parts for which theyield rate is considered, when the true lengths are larger than thefixed length to reduce the uncountable parts to uncountable parts havinglengths smaller than the fixed length; extra lengths may be calculatedby subtracting the true lengths, which is the actual lengths of theuncountable parts, from the fixed length to compare the true lengths ofall the parts for which the extra lengths are calculated with the extralengths thereof; addition of a longest true length to a shortest extralength may be repeated to reduce the uncountable parts to the countableparts having the fixed length; and the number of the countable partshaving the fixed length may be totalized.

In order to resolve the above problems, a quantity totalizing programfor a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, according to thepresent invention, is characterized by including integrating means forreferring to parts information stored in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD and associating line information, whichis separated from the parts information for storage and which is uniqueto a line, with the parts information to generate integrated informationin which the quantity of parts is totalized; numbering means forsystematically numbering the integrated information and outputting aquantity totalization result; and comparing means for comparing thequantity totalization result output by the numbering means with a partsnumber column in a design drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD to check the parts having the same partsinformation and line information against each other and replacing partsnumbers in the parts number column in the design drawing produced withthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbersin the quantity totalization result output by the numbering means.

A quantity totalizing program for a three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, according to the present invention, is characterized byincluding integrating means for referring to parts information stored inthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and associatingline information, which is separated from the parts information forstorage and which is unique to a line, with the parts information togenerate integrated information in which the quantity of parts istotalized; numbering means for systematically numbering the integratedinformation and outputting a quantity totalization result; comparingmeans for comparing the quantity totalization result output by thenumbering means with a parts number column in a design drawing producedwith the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check theparts having the same parts information and line information againsteach other and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in thedesign drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantity totalization resultoutput by the numbering means; extracting means for classifying theparts into automatically numbered parts and manually numbered parts andextracting the parts information and the line information, concerningthe manually numbered parts, from a database in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD for check; and manually-numbering meansfor manually numbering the parts having the parts information and theline information extracted by the extracting means.

In order to resolve the above problems, a quantity totalizing method fora three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, according to thepresent invention, is characterized by including the steps of referringto parts information stored in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD and associating line information, which is separated fromthe parts information for storage and which is unique to a line, withthe parts information to generate integrated information in which thequantity of parts is totalized; systematically numbering the integratedinformation and producing a quantity totalization result; and comparingthe quantity totalization result with a parts number column in a designdrawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD to check the parts having the same parts information and lineinformation against each other and replacing parts numbers in the partsnumber column in the design drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantitytotalization result output by the numbering means.

A quantity totalizing method for a three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, according to the present invention, is characterized byincluding the steps of referring to parts information stored in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, associating lineinformation, which is separated from the parts information for storageand which is unique to a line, with the parts information, referring tothe line information and the parts information stored in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to classify parts intoautomatically numbered parts and manually numbered parts, andassociating the line information with the parts information to generateintegrated information in which the quantity of the parts is totalized;extracting the line information concerning the manually numbered partsfrom a database in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD,manually numbering the parts having the extracted line information, andsystematically numbering the integrated information to produce aquantity totalization result; comparing the quantity totalization resultwith a parts number column in a design drawing produced with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check the partshaving the same parts information and line information against eachother and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in thedesign drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantity totalization resultoutput by the numbering means.

According to the present invention having the structures describedabove, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the quantitytotalization in the design with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD and to perform accurate parts management and designmanagement while reducing the design cost and the time required for thedesign work, and it is also possible to consider advance arrangement andprocurement of the parts and to improve a yield rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a quantitytotalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a totalizing flow in the quantity totalizer for thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a method of reducing uncountable parts to countable parts.

FIG. 4 shows a flow in which a latest quantity totalization result ischecked against a past quantity totalization result.

FIG. 5 shows a flow in which parts information in the numbered quantitytotalization result is compared with and checked against partsinformation in a piping drawing.

FIG. 6 shows a structure (flow) in which parts numbers are manuallynumbered.

FIG. 7 is a table showing a symbol indicating whether the manualnumbering is allowed as attribute information.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are tables showing a quantity totalization method whenthe parts are totalized based on line names and parts specifications orbased only on the parts specifications.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are tables showing a quantity totalizing method in whichthe parts having different specifications are processed as the same partaccording to the same parts number and parent-to-child relationship.

FIG. 10 shows a structure (flow) in which a fixed length is manuallyinput in the quantity totalization when the yield rate of theuncountable parts is considered.

FIG. 11 is a table showing a method of classifying the quantitytotalizing method based on whether the yield rate is considered.

FIG. 12 illustrates processes for reducing the uncountable parts to thecountable parts in consideration of the yield rate to calculate thenumber of the countable parts.

BEST MODE FOR EMBODYING THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a quantity totalizer, a quantity totalizing program, anda quantity totalizing method for a three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, of the present invention, will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a quantity totalizer 10 for athree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the quantity totalizer 10 for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD includes: converting means 1 forconverting parts information, stored in parts information databasegroups 81 in a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group 80which includes three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADs havingdifferent data formats, into a uniform data format; reducing means 2 forreducing uncountable parts, among parts information converted into theuniform data format by the converting means 1, to countable parts;integrating means 3 for associating line information, which is uniquefor every line and which is stored in a file different from that of theparts information, with the parts information to generate integratedinformation in which the quantity of parts is totalized; numbering means4 for systematically numbering the integrated information and outputtinga quantity totalization result; checking means 5 for checking theintegrated information against a past quantity totalization result whenthe integrated information integrated by the integrating means 3 resultsfrom the second or subsequent quantity totalization; comparing means 6for comparing the quantity totalization result output by the numberingmeans with a parts number column in a design drawing produced by thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group 80 to determineparts having the same parts information and line information andreplacing the parts numbers in the parts number column in the designdrawing produced by the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADgroup 80 with the parts numbers in the quantity totalization resultoutput by the numbering means 4; form preparing means 7 for selectingnecessary information from the quantity totalization result output bythe numbering means 4 to output the selected information as a form; andpostscript inputting means 8 for inputting a postscript in the quantitytotalization result output by the numbering means 4 or in the formoutput by the form preparing means 7.

A totalizing flow in the quantity totalizer 10 for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD will now be described with reference toFIG. 2. According to the first embodiment, piping design is taken as anexample.

In the quantity totalizer 10 for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD according to the first embodiment, the parts informationstored in the parts information database group 81 in a parts library inthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group 80 isminimized to speed up the data processing. In other words, in thequantity totalizer 10 for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADgroup 80 holds only the minimum parts information required for piperouting.

In the piping design with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD group 80, first, pipes and parts (including valves andjoints) are arranged in a virtual space of the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD group 80 to generate piping lines(lines). In the generation of the piping lines, line names are specifiedfor the pipes and parts as classification items, and the data concerningthe parts types (bore, face-to-face dimension, connection form (flangeconnection or welding), and the diameter of the flange in the flangeconnection), the sizes, etc. is added to the line names. The informationconcerning the wall thickness, the material, etc. of the pipes and partsis omitted here. In other words, the parts information database group 81in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group 80includes only the minimum parts information, such as the line names, theparts types, and the sizes, required for the piping design.

Next, the parts information in the piping diagram drawn by thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD groups 80 of multipletypes is converted into a uniform data format by the converting means 1.The converting means 1 stores a conversion program for converting thedata format.

The parts information converted into the uniform data format is outputas uniform-data-format information (Table 1). At this time, the linenames (classification items), the parts types, the sizes, and the dataon the lengths of the uncountable parts, which are the minimum partsinformation required for the piping design, are stored in Table 1.

In the uniform-data-format information (Table 1), the number of partshaving the same parts type and size is counted to calculate the totalnumber of the parts in each of the lines.

Next, the uniform-data-format information (Table 1) is input in thereducing means 2. When the parts are the uncountable parts (for example,pipes or ducts), the quantity of the uncountable parts is reduced to thenumber of the countable parts using a part having a fixed length as ameasure.

A method of reducing the uncountable parts to the countable parts,performed by the reducing means 2, will now be described with referenceto FIG. 3. In this method, pipes are taken as one example.

For example, when a pipe 21 having the length at the time of purchase isdefined as a reference pipe having a fixed length and a pipe 22 islonger than the reference pipe having the fixed length, the length ofthe pipe 22 is divided by the fixed length of the reference pipe 21 toreduce the pipe 22 to a countable part 22A having the fixed length. Theremainder is recognized as an uncountable part 22B having a length lessthan the fixed length, or as the uncountable part 22B whose length isless than that of the reference pipe.

In the case of pipes 23 to 27 shorter than the reference pipe 21 havingthe fixed length, the lengths of the uncountable parts are selectivelyand repeatedly summed up until the reference pipe 21 having the fixedlength is given. The uncountable parts having a length equal to thefixed length are counted as the countable parts. For example, summing upthe lengths of the pipe 23 to the pipe 26 produces one reference pipe 21having the fixed length, and summing up the lengths of the pipe 24 tothe pipe produces one reference pipe 21 having the fixed length. Thisoperation is repeated and it is determined whether the pipe 27 having alength less than the fixed length, which is the final remainder, iscounted as one reference pipe 21 having the fixed length or whether anadditional pipe having a length less than the fixed length of thereference pipe 21 is purchased. By reducing the uncountable parts to thecountable parts so as to count the number of the countable parts in thismanner, the waste in the purchase of the pipes and the likes can beeliminated and the high yielding can be achieved.

Reduced parts information (Table 2) is prepared in the manner describedabove. In the reduced parts information, the line names, the partstypes, and the sizes of the pipes and parts in each of the piping linesdesigned with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group80 are added as the parts information, and the uncountable parts arereduced to the countable parts.

In addition to the parts information stored in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD group 80, line information (Table 3)concerning each line is prepared. The line information includes thefluid name, the working pressure, the working temperature, thethicknesses of the pipes, the material, the joint geometry of the buttwelding, the drawing numbers, the work information, the delivery date,and the procurement number.

The line names, which are the classification items added to the partsinformation, are checked to integrate the reduced parts information(Table 2) with the line information (Table 3) by the integrating means3. The reduced parts information (Table 2) and the line information(Table 3) are generated with the data in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD group 80. In other words, the data havingthe same line name is associated with each other for the integration.With this checking and integration, all the information including theparts types, the sizes, the fluid name, the working pressure, and theworking temperature, is added to all the pipes and parts as unique data.

The reduced parts information (Table 2) is integrated with the lineinformation (Table 3) by the integrating means 3 to generate integratedinformation (Table 4). The integrated information (Table 4) does nothave the parts numbers added. In other words, all the parts informationand the line information, including the line names, the parts types, thesizes, the material, and the thicknesses of the pipes, are stored in theintegrated information (Table 4).

Next, the parts numbers are added to all the parts stored in theintegrated information (Table 4) by the numbering means 4. In the caseof the first design, the integrated information (Table 4) is numbered toassign unique parts numbers to all the parts. It is possible to managethe data concerning all the parts as a whole based on the parts numbers.

In contrast, in the case of the quantity totalization in the second orsubsequent design, that is, if the design is changed in the designstage, the integrated information (Table 4) is checked against thequantity totalization results of past revisions by the checking means 5.

A flow, in which the integrated information (Table 4) is checked againsta past quantity totalization result (Table 5) by the checking means 5,will be described hereunder with reference to FIG. 4.

The integrated information (Table 4) is not numbered while the pastquantity totalization result (Table 5) is numbered in the past quantitytotalization. In the case of the first quantity totalization, theintegrated information (Table 4) is directly input in the numberingmeans 4. In the case of the second or subsequent quantity totalization,the integrated information (Table 4) is input in the checking means 5and is checked against the past quantity totalization result (Table 5).The number of the parts in the integrated information (Table 4), theparts having the same information (information B other than the partsnumbers and the number of the parts in FIG. 4) concerning the line name,the parts type, and the size as the parts in the past quantitytotalization result (Table 5), is compared with the number of parts inthe past quantity totalization result (Table 5). If the number of theparts in the integrated information (Table 4), the parts having the sameinformation B as in the past quantity totalization result (Table 5), isequal to the number of the parts in the past quantity totalizationresult (Table 5) (X−Y=0), it is assumed that there is no design changeand the integrated information (Table 4) is numbered. If the number ofthe parts in the integrated information (Table 4), the parts having thesame information B as in the past quantity totalization result (Table5), is larger than the number of the parts in Table 5 (X−Y>0), it isassumed that the parts are additional parts and the line correspondingto the additional parts is added to the past quantity totalizationresult (Table 5). If the number of the parts in the integratedinformation (Table 4), the parts having the same information B as in thepast quantity totalization result (Table 5), is smaller than the numberof the parts in the past quantity totalization result (Table 5) (X−Y<0),it is assumed that the parts are deleted due to the design change, andthe integrated information (Table 4) is numbered and the numberedintegrated information (Table 4) is output as the quantity totalizationresult.

A quantity totalization result (Table 6) of the arranged parts and pipesis output in the above manner.

A flow, in which the quantity totalization result (Table 6) isassociated with the design data in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD group 80, will be also described hereunder with referenceto FIG. 5.

The quantity totalization result of the parts and pipes, output in thequantity totalization result (Table 6), is returned to thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group 80, and thereturned quantity totalization result is compared with the quantitytotalization result of the parts and pipes, in the parts number columnin the piping drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangementand adjustment CAD group 80, by the comparing means 6. In other words,the line names, the parts types, and the sizes recorded in the pipingdrawing are extracted from the quantity totalization result in thepiping drawing and are checked against the line names, the parts types,and the sizes in the quantity totalization result (Table 6). If the linenames, the parts types, and the sizes recorded in the piping drawing areequal to the line names, the parts types, and the sizes in the quantitytotalization result (Table 6), the parts information in the pipingdrawing is associated with the parts information in the quantitytotalization result (Table 6).

Specifically, the line name B, the parts type C, and the size D in thequantity totalization result (Table 6) are compared with the line nameB′, the parts type C′, and the size D′ in the quantity totalizationresult in the piping drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD group 80, respectively, by the comparingmeans 6. As for the parts having the same data in the line names (B,B′), the parts types (C, C′), and the sizes (D, D′), a letter A′ in theparts number column in the piping drawing produced with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group 80 is replacedwith a parts number A numbered by the quantity totalizer 10 for thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD of the presentinvention. The drawing number is assigned to the piping drawing here.

The comparing means 6 has a conversion program as in the convertingmeans 1. The conversion program has a function of converting the dataformat in the quantity totalization result (Table 6) into the dataformat in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group 80.

In other words, as for all the parts systematically numbered in thequantity totalization result (Table 6) by the comparison performed bythe comparing means 6, the parts numbers of all the parts and pipesarranged in the piping drawing are completely associated with the partsnumbers in the quantity totalization result (Table 6). Accordingly, itis possible to produce the piping drawing having the parts numberssystematically numbered with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD group 80.

The comparing means 6 may have a conversion function of converting thedescription language and the unit system. With the comparing means 6having the conversion function, it is possible to convert the languageand unit in the piping drawing and to output the converted result.

Since the parts numbers in the quantity totalization result (Table 6)are directly and exclusively associated with the parts numbers in thepiping drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD group 80, the quantity totalization result (Table 6) canbe directly used as a form, such as a valve list or a purchase order. Inthe engineering design, different sections including factories,construction site, and material procurement departments requiredifferent information. Accordingly, only by outputting the necessaryparts information from the quantity totalization result in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group 80, the drawingand form can be collectively produced. The templates of the form and thelike is stored in the form preparing means 7 as blank forms, and thetemplate optimal to the type of the produced form is selected and used.The output result is output as a form (a table group 7).

The form preparing means 7 may have a conversion function of convertingthe description language and the unit system. With the form preparingmeans 7 having the conversion function, it is possible to convert thelanguage and unit in the form and to output the converted result.

Furthermore, the postscript inputting means 8 for later addition isprovided in order to add a postscript or a memo, such as a proviso,which is not included in the quantity totalization result (Table 6) orthe form (the table group 7), to the piping drawing or the form.

The Table 1 to Table 5 according to the first embodiment do not need tobe actually output as lists as long as the tables are recorded in amemory in the computer as databases.

In the quantity totalizer 10 for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD having the structure described above, on the one hand,the minimum information incidental to the arranged parts is used toroute the pipes in the three-dimensional virtual space. On the otherhand, the information concerning the fluid name, the working pressure,the working temperature, and the connection form, which is incidental tothe line names of the pipe lines, is provided as an appendix. Theinformation incidental to the arranged parts is linked with theinformation incidental to the line names of the pipe lines to generatetotal information. In the total information, the parts aresystematically numbered. The template appropriate for the attainedquantity totalization result is used to output the information necessaryfor each section as a form and to output the drawing having thecorresponding parts numbers.

As described above, in the quantity totalizer 10 for thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, it is possible toassociate the forms with the drawing with a little work and tosystematically produce the forms, and it is further possible to easilyand accurately perform the design tasks and the management of the parts.Since there is no need to input the parts information in the productionof the piping drawing and the forms including the valve list, the designwork is reduced in time and the design cost is also reduced.

The parts numbers are systematically associated with the forms, so thatthere is no disadvantage, such as duplication of the parts numbers.

Since the line names are assigned to the pipes as the classificationitems in the production of the piping drawing, it is sufficient to usethe parts types and the sizes as the data to be stored in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD. Accordingly, it is notnecessary to carry out a complicated input work for every part in thepipe routing. As a result, the piping design can be smoothly performedand the design cost can be effectively reduced.

Furthermore, since all the information concerning the parts is stored asthe quantity totalization result and is collectively managed, it ispossible to output only the information required for every section inthe forms. Consequently, the forms and the drawing can be efficientlyproduced, thus allowing the design to be efficiently managed.

A change in the number of the parts due to the design change can beaccurately reflected in the quantity totalization result, so that thedesign work relating to the order or the manufacture can be improved.Accordingly, the design work can be smoothly performed at low cost.

Since different types of three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCADs can be incorporated and used in the system owing to the provisionof the reduction tables, the design management, which has beenseparately performed for every design field, can be collectivelyperformed to realize a user-friendly design system. Accordingly, thedesign cost and the time required for the design work can be reduced.

With the structure described above, the forms including the partsinformation and the drawing associated with the parts numbers can beproduced and output with little effort in the piping design.Consequently, it is possible to collectively manage the forms in whichthe parts are systematically numbered and the drawing and to efficientlyperform the design work.

A quantity totalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, will befurther described hereunder with reference to drawings.

FIG. 6 shows a flow relating to the reduced parts information (Table 2)shown in FIG. 2. Table 2A is converted to Table 2B in the manner shownin FIG. 6.

The line information (Table 3) in FIG. 6 has a symbol indicating whethermanual numbering is allowed as attribute information. Referring to FIG.6, the attribute information concerning the manual numbering isindicated with a symbol ◯. That is, the symbol ◯ indicates that themanual numbering is allowed for the part.

The part having the classification item with the symbol ◯ is associatedwith the reduced parts information (Table 2A) by extracting means 22 andthe associated result is extracted. If the extracted result includes theparts having the same specifications as in the line information (Table3), the parts are classified for every specification and the totalnumber of the parts is calculated and stored in one line inmanually-numbered parts information (Table 11). The manually-numberedparts information (Table 11) has a column for the manual numbering, inwhich the user manually inputs the parts numbers that are numbered inadvance.

The parts numbers that are manually numbered by the user in advance areinput in the manual numbering column in the manually-numbered partsinformation (Table 11) by manually-numbering means 23.

The manual numbered result (the manually-numbered parts information(Table 11)) is reflected in the database in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD in the following manner. First, thecontent of Table 2A is copied into Table 2B. Then, the content of Table11 is reflected in Table 2B while referring to a key.

This term “key” means herein the data indicating where in the databasein the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD is referred toin the extraction of the parts. The attribute information, such as linenumbers or unique letters, corresponds to the key.

Assigning the manually-numbered reduced parts information (Table 2B) inthe database in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD tothe reduced parts information (Table 2) in FIG. 2 allows thetotalization to be performed according to the manually-numbered partsnumbers.

However, due to the above operation, the automatically-numbered partsnumbers are mixed with the manually-numbered parts numbers in thedatabase in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD.Consequently, in the quantity totalizer for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD according to the second embodiment, asshown in FIG. 7, the symbol indicating whether the manual numbering isallowed, used as the attribute in the line information (Table 3), isindicated in order to avoid disrupting the system in the quantitytotalization. The quantity totalizing method of the parts is classifiedwith this symbol.

In other words, all the parts relating to the classification items forwhich the manual numbering is not specified in the line information(Table 3) are totalized by the automatic numbering. In contrast, all theparts for which the manual numbering is specified in Table 3 aretotalized by the manual numbering.

In the automatic numbering, the sequence numbers may be disorderlyassigned or the sequence numbers may be assigned by rule. The quantitytotalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD,according to the first embodiment of the present invention, adopts thelatter numbering method. The parts having the same line name, the partstype, and the size are classified and totalized, and the automaticnumbering is performed for the totalization result.

In contrast, in the quantity totalizer for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD, according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention, the parts may be totalized by the manualnumbering based only on the attribute information concerning the partstypes and the sizes, regardless of the line names as the classificationitems. The attribute information concerning only the parts types and thesizes is called parts specifications.

FIG. 8A shows the manually-numbered parts information (Table 11A) inwhich the parts are totalized according to the line information and theparts specifications. FIG. 8B shows the manually-numbered partsinformation (Table 11B) in which the parts are totalized according toonly the parts specifications. Since the manual numbering is used in themanually-numbered parts information (Table 11A and Table 11B), the partsnumber columns are blank.

As shown in the manually-numbered parts information (Table 11A) in FIG.8A, when the parts are totalized on the condition that the parts havethe same line information and the parts specifications, the parts areclassified and tabulated for every line information even if the partshave the same parts specifications E.

As shown in the manually-numbered parts information (Table 11B) in FIG.8B, when the parts are totalized only on the condition that the partshave the same parts specifications, the parts having the same partsspecifications are equally processed and the number of the parts iscalculated by summing up the numbers of the parts in the two lines inFIG. 8A. That is, the total number of the parts is F+G. Since the linename is meaningless, the line name is represented by a letter indicatingthe meaninglessness (by a hyphen (−) in FIG. 8B).

In the manner described above, it is possible to collectively count theparts having the same parts specifications.

In contrast, in order to collectively assign the same parts number whenthe parts are different in both the line name and the partsspecifications or either of them, the parts are numbered in a mannershown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

In the manner in FIGS. 9A and 9B, symbols representing theparent-to-child relationship are registered as the attribute informationin the parts. The parent-to-child relationship here represents whichline name or parts specification is to be used in the totalization whenthe same parts number is assigned to the multiple parts having differentline names or parts specifications. Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, theline names and the parts specifications are described as the samecategory.

As shown in FIG. 9A, when there is no parent-to-child relationshipbetween the parts, the part having the parts number A and the parthaving the parts number A′ are processed as parents to prepare themanually-numbered parts information (Table 11C). In this case, in thequantity totalization result (the integrated information, Table 4)reflecting this processing, the parts number A is separated from theparts number A′ for the totalization.

In contrast, FIG. 9B shows a case in which the parts have different linenames and parts specifications but have the same parts number and,therefore, there is the parent-to-child relationship between the parts.The parts in FIG. 9B are totalized together according to theparent-to-child relationship. As a result of this totalization, theparts numbers and the parent-to-child relationship are registered in thedatabase in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD group80. In the integrated information (Table 4), the line name and partsspecification B of the parent is used for the parts number A, and thetotal number E+F given by adding the number of the parent parts havingthe parts number A to the number of the child parts having the partsnumber A is adopted.

A flow in the quantity totalizer when a yield rate is considered will bedescribed hereunder with reference to FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 10,reduced parts information (Table 2D) prepared from reduced partsinformation (Table 2C) corresponds to the reduced parts information(Table 2) in FIG. 2. FIG. 10 shows the flow in which the reduced partsinformation (Table 2C) is converted to the reduced parts information(Table 2D).

Referring to FIG. 10, a symbol indicating that the yield rate isconsidered is stored in the line information (Table 3) as the attributeinformation (the part for which the yield rate is considered isindicated with a symbol ◯ in FIG. 10).

The part corresponding to the uncountable part having the lineinformation with the symbol ◯ is extracted from the reduced partsinformation (Table 2C) by the extracting means 22. If the extractedresult includes the uncountable parts having the same specifications asin the line information (Table 3), the uncountable parts are classifiedfor every specification, and the total length of the uncountable partsstored in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD inadvance is output for every specification and is stored in one line inyield-rate-considered parts information (Table 12).

The fixed length, which is the length of uncountable parts at time ofpurchase, is stored in the line information (Table 3) as one attribute.The fixed length must be registered in advance for all the uncountableparts. The yield-rate-considered parts information (Table 12) includes acolumn in which the fixed length is described, and the user can revisethe fixed length to input the revised fixed length in the column.

Next, the user manually inputs the parts numbers in the manual numberingcolumn in the yield-rate-considered parts information (Table 12) withthe manually-numbering means 23.

The manual revision of the fixed length is reflected in the database inthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD in the followingmanner. First, the content of the reduced parts information (Table 2C)is copied in the reduced parts information (Table 2D). Then, the contentof the yield-rate-considered parts information (Table 12) is reflectedin the reduced parts information (Table 2D) via a key.

This term “key” means herein the data indicating where in the databasein the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD is referred toin the extraction of the attribute information of the part from thereduced parts information (Table 2C). The attribute information, such asline numbers or unique letters, corresponds to the key.

The use of the reduced parts information (Table 2D) in which the fixedlength is manually input as the reduced parts information (Table 2) inFIG. 2 can realize the quantity totalization using the fixed lengthmanually input.

However, due to the above operation, the uncountable parts for which theyield rate is considered are mixed with the uncountable parts for whichthe yield rate is not considered in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD. Consequently, as shownin FIG. 11, the symbol indicating whether the yield rate is considered,used as the attribute of the classification items in Table 3, isindicated in order to avoid disrupting the system in the quantitytotalization. The quantity totalizing method of the parts is classifiedwith this symbol.

In other words, all the uncountable parts relating to the classificationitems for which the yield rate is not specified in Table 3 are totalizedin a state in which the yield rate is not considered. In contrast, allthe uncountable parts for which the yield rate is specified in Table 3are totalized in a state in which the yield rate is considered.

FIG. 12 shows an actual manner of calculating the yield rate.

[Process 1] The uncountable parts having the same specificationincluding the fixed length are totalized. This is called an initialstate. Referring to FIG. 12, the true lengths are shown by solid lines,while the extra lengths, each given by subtracting the true length fromthe fixed length, are shown by broken lines. The processing performed inthe following processes is highlighted with boxes enclosing theprocessing.

[Process 2] The true lengths of the uncountable parts are subtractedfrom the fixed length to calculate the extra lengths, and theuncountable parts are sorted in ascending order of extra length. Thetrue lengths are denoted by reference numeral a, b, c, and d indescending order. The subtraction of each of the true lengths a, b, c,and d from the fixed length gives an extra length a′, an extra lengthb′, an extra length c′, and an extra length d′.

[Process 3] True lengths are compared with the extra lengths in the nexthigher level in ascending order of extra length to search for anuncountable part having the true length smaller than the extra length.If the corresponding uncountable part is not searched for, the yieldrate cannot be further considered. In this example, the true length c issmaller than the extra length b′. That is, the uncountable part forwhich the yield rate can be considered (the part corresponding to thetrue length c) is searched for.

[Process 4] An uncountable part that has the smallest extra length beingcapable of including the true length c searched for in Process 3 issearched for in order to integrate the longest uncountable part forwhich the yield rate can be considered with the smallest extra length.In this example, the part having the true length a can include the truelength c.

[Process 5] The true length c searched for in Process 3 is added to thetrue length a, and the part having the true length c is deleted.

[Process 6] The extra lengths are calculated again and the parts aresorted in ascending order of extra length. In this process, theuncountable part including the part for which the addition is performedin the previous process is included in the calculation.

[Process 7] The true length d is added behind the true length c in theabove manner.

The above processes are repeated until it is determined that the yieldrate cannot be further considered to yield the optimum number of partshaving the fixed length.

Specific examples of the quantity totalizer for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD, according to the second embodiment, willbe then described hereunder.

The quantity totalization of the pipes and the procurement of the partsbased on the quantity totalization result are often performed before adetailed arrangement and adjustment of the pipes is completed. This isbecause the plant engineering including the pipes and the cable trays isperformed on the assumption that the steel work, the building, thegroundwork, and the equipment are fixed. Accordingly, the plantengineering is positioned downstream in the entire design schedule.

Coordination between the departments, modeling with three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD, and accurate quantity totalization oftenlag far behind.

The pipe parts for the piping are manufactured from ingots. Hence, inorder to purchase the cheapest piping parts, it is preferable that thepipe parts be purchased in time with melting of the ingots in the steelproduct manufacturer with regard to the cost.

In consideration of the actual procurement of the parts, it is a rarecase in actual that the quantity totalization can be performed by theautomatic numbering after the database in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD is completed. Accordingly, the manualnumbering of the parts numbers must be performed.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the line information (Table 3), the line name isused as the classification item. The information concerning theallowance of the manual numbering and the parent-to-child relationshipbetween the parts having the same parts number is stored in the lineinformation (Table 3). The parts having the line name for which themanual numbering is allowed in the line information (Table 3) areextracted from the database in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD in the parts information (Table 2A) by the extractingmeans 22 to prepare the manually-numbered parts information (Table 11).

The parts numbers numbered in the advance procurement are manually inputby the manually-numbering means 23 while confirming the line names,which is the classification items; other information such as the designpressure and temperature, which is the attributes of the classificationitems; and the parts specifications, tabulated in the manually-numberedparts information (Table 11).

The information, indicating that from which line in the reduced partsinformation (Table 2) the parts are acquired, is given to the parts inthe manually-numbered parts information (Table 11). The data on one partis stored in one line in the reduced parts information (Table 2A). Thedata in the reduced parts information (Table 2A) is returned to thedatabase in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD basedon the line numbers. In other words, the line numbers in the database inthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD are used to reflectthe parent-to-child relationship between the parts having the partsnumbers that are equal to the manually-numbered parts numbers in thedatabase in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD.

The database in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD isused to perform the quantity totalization in FIG. 2. In the quantitytotalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD,according to the second embodiment, owing to the structure shown in FIG.7, the automatically-numbered parts numbers are not mixed with themanually-numbered parts numbers.

Specifically, the line information (Table 3) is used again in thequantity totalization to again confirm the line names for which themanual numbering is allowed. Through this operation, all theautomatically-numbered parts are known to the system.

Next, the automatic numbering is performed only for the parts having thesame classification item and the same parts specification in thequantity totalization. In contrast, the parts for which the manualnumbering is allowed are totalized based on the parts number so as toattain the quantity totalization result. The quantity totalizer for thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, according to thesecond embodiment, is structured such that the previous revisions can bereferred to both in the manual numbering and the automatic numbering.

Bulk purchase of the pipe parts is also considered in the quantitytotalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD,according to the second embodiment.

The specifications of the pipes used in a plant are classified accordingto intended use. In the quantity totalizer for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD, according to the second embodiment, thepipes used in high temperature and high pressure state give weight tothe design specifications, and the procurement according to the linespecifications and parts specifications is performed in these pipes.

In contrast, the pipes used in low temperature and low pressure state donot need to insist on the specifications shown in the line information.

Accordingly, in the case of the pipes used in low temperature andpressure, it is sufficient to provide the attribute information (partsspecifications) for identifying the pipe parts.

Consequently, in the quantity totalizer for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD, according to the second embodiment, asshown in FIG. 8, the method in which the parts are classified based onlyon the parts specifications (parts types and sizes) for totalization isadopted.

With this structure described above, the bulk purchase of the parts hasa good effect on the reduction in cost in spite of being rather out ofspecifications and, therefore, the cost of the material procurement canbe reduced.

As described above, according to the quantity totalizer for thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD in the secondembodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide thequantity totalizer, the quantity totalizing program, and the quantitytotalizing method, which are capable of considering the advancearrangement and procurement of the parts and improving the yield rate.

The structures of the quantity totalizers and the quantity totalizingprograms for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD,according to the above embodiments, are summarized as follows.

A quantity totalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD, according to an embodiment, includes: integrating means forreferring to parts information stored in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD and associating line information, whichis separated from the parts information for storage and which is uniqueto a line, with the parts information to generate integrated informationin which the quantity of parts is totalized; numbering means forsystematically numbering the integrated information and outputting aquantity totalization result; and comparing means for comparing thequantity totalization result output by the numbering means with a partsnumber column in a design drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD to check the parts having the same partsinformation and line information against each other and replacing partsnumbers in the parts number column in the design drawing produced withthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbersin the quantity totalization result output by the numbering means.

The parts information preferably includes a parts type and a size in thequantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD.

The line information includes, at the least, a fluid name passingthrough pipes, a working pressure, a working temperature, a material, awall thickness, and a drawing number.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD may include reducing means for dividing the length ofuncountable parts by a fixed length of countable parts for reduction tothe number of the countable parts having the fixed length when theuncountable part is longer than the fixed length and for summing up thelengths of the uncountable parts until the fixed length is given forreduction to the number of the countable parts having the fixed lengthwhen the uncountable part is shorter than the fixed length.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD may include converting means for converting the partsinformation stored in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCADs of different types into a uniform data format to collectivelymanage the converted parts information.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD may include checking means for checking the integratedinformation against a past quantity totalization result to number partsthat have not been numbered.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD may have a template for a form in which necessaryinformation in the quantity totalization result is output.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD may have a conversion function for converting adescription language and a unit system of the form and the designdrawing.

A quantity totalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD, according to another embodiment, includes: integrating means forreferring to parts information stored in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD and associating line information, whichis separated from the parts information for storage and which is uniqueto a line, with the parts information to generate integrated informationin which the quantity of parts is totalized; numbering means forsystematically numbering the integrated information and outputting aquantity totalization result; comparing means for comparing the quantitytotalization result output by the numbering means with a parts numbercolumn in a design drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD to thereby check the parts having thesame parts information and line information against each other andreplacing parts numbers in the parts number column in the design drawingproduced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD withparts numbers in the quantity totalization result output by thenumbering means; extracting means for classifying the parts intoautomatically numbered parts and manually numbered parts and extractingthe parts information and the line information, concerning the manuallynumbered parts, from a database in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD for check; and manually-numbering means for manuallynumbering the parts having the parts information and the lineinformation extracted by the extracting means.

In the above structure, attribute information concerning the parts,extracted and checked by the extracting means in order to determine theparts manually numbered by the manually-numbering means, includes all ofa line name, a parts type and a size, or includes only the parts typeand the size.

The parts information is integrated with the line information, which areextracted by the extracting means, to produce a parts list. At least oneparts number that is determined in advance is manually input in theparts list by the manually-numbering means, and the manually input datais reflected in the parts number column in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD.

The integrating means refers to the line information and the database inthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, in which themanually input data input by the manually-numbering means is reflected,to separate the automatically numbered parts from the manually numberedparts and totalizes the number of countable parts and the total lengthof uncountable parts to thereby produce the quantity totalizationresult.

The integrating means separates the automatically numbered parts fromthe manually numbered parts for quantity totalization; compares theinformation before a revision with the information after the revision;and adds a shortfall before the revision to the information after therevision when the number of parts before the revision is smaller thanthe number of parts after the revision.

The extracting means functions to give attribute informationrepresenting parent-to-child relationship between the parts to a partslist extracted by the extracting means, to reduce the parts numbers ofchild parts, among the parts that are different in all of a line name, aparts type, and a size or any of them, to the parts numbers of parentparts to collectively number the parts, and to totalize the both theparent parts and the child parts.

A symbol indicating that a yield rate is considered, the symbol beingattribute information, is added to the line information to separateparts for which the yield rate is considered from parts for which theyield rate is not considered; the parts information and the lineinformation concerning uncountable parts stored in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD are extracted by theextracting means for check to determine the uncountable parts for whichthe yield rate is considered; true lengths, which are the actual lengthsof the uncountable parts, are calculated by the reducing means for theuncountable parts for which the yield rate is considered; and extralengths, which is the difference between the true lengths and a fixedlength at the time of purchase, input in advance, are calculated.

A symbol indicating that a yield rate is considered, the symbol beingattribute information, is added to the line information to separateparts for which the yield rate is considered from parts for which theyield rate is not considered; the parts information and the lineinformation concerning uncountable parts stored in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD are extracted by theextracting means for check to determine the uncountable parts for whichthe yield rate is considered; a fixed length, which is the length of theuncountable parts at time of purchase, is input by themanually-numbering means; the fixed length is subtracted from truelengths, which are the lengths of the uncountable parts for which theyield rate is considered, when the true lengths are larger than thefixed length to reduce the uncountable parts to uncountable parts havinglengths smaller than the fixed length; extra lengths are calculated bysubtracting the true lengths, which is the actual lengths of theuncountable parts, from the fixed length to compare the true lengths ofall the parts for which the extra lengths are calculated with the extralengths thereof; addition of a longest true length to a shortest extralength is repeated to reduce the uncountable parts to the countableparts having the fixed length; and the number of the countable partshaving the fixed length is totalized.

A fixed length, which is the length of uncountable parts at the time ofpurchase, is manually input, by the manually-numbering means, in a partslist extracted by the extracting means, and the input information isreflected in a fixed length column in the parts information stored inthe database in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD.

The line information is stored in a table different from a tableincluding a fixed length and, when the line information is specified,the fixed length of the corresponding uncountable parts is reflected ina parts list extracted by the extracting means.

The quantity totalizing methods for the three-dimensional arrangementand adjustment CAD, according to the above embodiments, will besummarized as follows:

A quantity totalizing method for a three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, according to an embodiment of the present invention,includes: the steps of referring to parts information stored in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and associating lineinformation, which is separated from the parts information for storageand which is unique to a line, with the parts information to generateintegrated information in which the quantity of parts is totalized;systematically numbering the integrated information and producing aquantity totalization result; and comparing the quantity totalizationresult with a parts number column in a design drawing produced with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check the partshaving the same parts information and line information against eachother and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in thedesign drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantity totalization resultoutput by the numbering means.

The parts information includes a parts type and a size in this quantitytotalizing method.

The line information may include, at the least, a fluid name passingthrough pipes, a working pressure, a working temperature, a material, awall thickness, and a drawing number.

The lengths of the uncountable parts longer than a fixed length ofcountable parts, among the uncountable parts arranged and adjusted bythe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, may be divided bythe fixed length of countable parts for reduction to the number of thecountable parts having the fixed length, and the lengths of theuncountable parts shorter than the fixed length may be summed up untilthe fixed length is given for reduction to the number of the countableparts having the fixed length in order to perform the quantitytotalization.

The parts information stored in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CADs of different types may be converted into a uniform dataformat to collectively manage the converted parts information.

The integrated information may be checked against a past quantitytotalization result to number parts that have not been numbered.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD may have a template for a form to output a necessaryquantity totalization result as the form.

The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD may have a database for multiple languages and unitsystems and may convert a description language and a unit system of theform and the design drawing.

A quantity totalizing method for a three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, according to another embodiment, includes: the steps ofreferring to parts information stored in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD, associating line information, which isseparated from the parts information for storage and which is unique toa line, with the parts information, referring to the line informationand the parts information stored in the three-dimensional arrangementand adjustment CAD to classify parts into automatically numbered partsand manually numbered parts, and associating the line information withthe parts information to generate integrated information in which thequantity of the parts is totalized; extracting the line informationconcerning the manually numbered parts from a database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD; manually numbering theparts having the extracted line information, and systematicallynumbering the integrated information to produce a quantity totalizationresult; and comparing the quantity totalization result with a partsnumber column in a design drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD to check the parts having the same partsinformation and line information against each other and replacing partsnumbers in the parts number column in the design drawing produced withthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbersin the quantity totalization result output by the numbering means.

In the above structure, a line name, a parts type, and a size, amongattribute information concerning the parts, are checked to determine theparts manually numbered, or only the parts type and the size are checkedto determine the parts manually numbered and the determined parts areextracted by the extracting means.

The parts information is integrated with the line information, which areextracted by the extracting means, to produce a parts list. At least oneparts number that is determined in advance is manually input in theparts list, and the manually input data is reflected in the parts numbercolumn in the database in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD.

The line information and the database in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD, in which the manually input data isreflected, are referred to to separate the automatically numbered partsfrom the manually numbered parts and the number of countable parts andthe total length of uncountable parts are totalized to produce thequantity totalization result.

The automatically numbered parts are separated from the manuallynumbered parts for the quantity totalization; the information before arevision is compared with the information after the revision; and ashortfall before the revision is added to the information after therevision when the number of parts before the revision is smaller thanthe number of parts after the revision.

The attribute information representing the parent-to-child relationshipbetween the parts is given to the parts list extracted by the extractingmeans; the parts numbers of child parts, among the parts that aredifferent in all of a line name, a parts type, and a size or any ofthem, are reduced to the parts numbers of parent parts to collectivelynumber the parts; and the both the parent parts and the child parts aretotalized for the quantity totalization.

A symbol indicating that a yield rate is considered, the symbol beingattribute information, is added to the line information to separateparts for which the yield rate is considered from parts for which theyield rate is not considered; the parts information and the lineinformation concerning uncountable parts stored in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD are extracted by theextracting means for check to determine the uncountable parts for whichthe yield rate is considered; true lengths, which are the actual lengthsof the uncountable parts, are calculated for the uncountable parts forwhich the yield rate is considered; and extra lengths, which is thedifference between the true lengths and a fixed length at the time ofpurchase, input in advance, are calculated.

A symbol indicating that a yield rate is considered, the symbol beingattribute information, is added to the line information to separateparts for which the yield rate is considered from parts for which theyield rate is not considered; the parts information and the lineinformation concerning uncountable parts stored in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD are extracted by theextracting means for check to determine the uncountable parts for whichthe yield rate is considered; a fixed length, which is the length of theuncountable parts at time of purchase, is input by themanually-numbering means; the fixed length is subtracted from truelengths, which are the lengths of the uncountable parts for which theyield rate is considered, when the true lengths are larger than thefixed length to reduce the uncountable parts to uncountable parts havinglengths smaller than the fixed length; extra lengths are calculated bysubtracting the true lengths, which is the actual lengths of theuncountable parts, from the fixed length to compare the true lengths ofall the parts for which the extra lengths are calculated with the extralengths thereof; addition of a longest true length to a shortest extralength is repeated to reduce the uncountable parts to the countableparts having the fixed length; and the number of the countable partshaving the fixed length is totalized.

A fixed length, which is the length of uncountable parts at the time ofpurchase, is manually input, by the manually-numbering means, in a partslist extracted by the extracting means, and the input information isreflected in a fixed length column in the parts information stored inthe database in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD.

The line information is stored in a table different from a tableincluding a fixed length and, when the line information is specified,the fixed length is automatically reflected in a parts list extracted bythe extracting means.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to a quantity totalizer, a quantity totalizing program, and aquantity totalizing method for a three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, of the present invention, it is possible tosystematically manage the parts numbers and to improve the efficiency ofthe quantity totalization. In addition, according to the presentinvention, advance arrangement and procurement of the parts can beconsidered, so that the quantity totalization can be efficientlyperformed.

1. A quantity totalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, comprising: integrating means for referring to partsinformation stored in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD and associating line information, which is separated from the partsinformation for storage and which is unique to a line, with the partsinformation to generate integrated information in which the quantity ofparts is totalized; numbering means for systematically numbering theintegrated information and outputting a quantity totalization result;and comparing means for comparing the quantity totalization resultoutput by the numbering means with a parts number column in a designdrawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD to check the parts having the same parts information and lineinformation against each other and replacing parts numbers in the partsnumber column in the design drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantitytotalization result output by the numbering means.
 2. The quantitytotalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADaccording to claim 1, wherein the parts information includes a partstype and a size.
 3. The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD according to claim 1, wherein the lineinformation includes, at the least, a fluid name passing through pipes,a working pressure, a working temperature, a material, a wall thickness,and a drawing number.
 4. The quantity totalizer for thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD according to claim 1,further comprising reducing means for dividing the length of uncountableparts by a fixed length of countable parts for reduction to the numberof the countable parts having the fixed length when the uncountable partis longer than the fixed length and for summing up the lengths of theuncountable parts until the fixed length is given for reduction to thenumber of the countable parts having the fixed length when theuncountable part is shorter than the fixed length.
 5. The quantitytotalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADaccording to claim 1, further comprising converting means for convertingthe parts information stored in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CADs of different types into a uniform data format tocollectively manage the converted parts information.
 6. The quantitytotalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADaccording to claim 1, further comprising checking means for checking theintegrated information against a past quantity totalization result tonumber parts that have not been numbered.
 7. The quantity totalizer forthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD according to claim1, wherein a template for a form, in which necessary information in thequantity totalization result is output, is provided.
 8. The quantitytotalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADaccording to claim 1, having a conversion function for converting adescription language and a unit system of the form and the designdrawing.
 9. A quantity totalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD, comprising: integrating means for referring to partsinformation stored in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD and associating line information, which is separated from the partsinformation for storage and which is unique to a line, with the partsinformation to generate integrated information in which the quantity ofparts is totalized; numbering means for systematically numbering theintegrated information and outputting a quantity totalization result;comparing means for comparing the quantity totalization result output bythe numbering means with a parts number column in a design drawingproduced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD tocheck the parts having the same parts information and line informationagainst each other and replacing parts numbers in the parts numbercolumn in the design drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantitytotalization result output by the numbering means; extracting means forclassifying the parts into automatically numbered parts and manuallynumbered parts and extracting the parts information and the lineinformation, concerning the manually numbered parts, from a database inthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD for check; andmanually-numbering means for manually numbering the parts having theparts information and the line information extracted by the extractingmeans.
 10. The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangementand adjustment CAD according to claim 9, wherein attribute informationconcerning the parts, which is extracted and checked by the extractingmeans in order to determine the parts manually numbered by themanually-numbering means, includes all of a line name, a parts type, anda size or includes only the parts type and the size.
 11. The quantitytotalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADaccording to claim 9, wherein the parts information is integrated withthe line information, which are extracted by the extracting means, toproduce a parts list, at least one parts number that is determined inadvance is manually input in the parts list by the manually-numberingmeans, and the manually input data is reflected in the parts numbercolumn in the database in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD.
 12. The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD according to claim 9, wherein theintegrating means refers to the line information and the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, in which the manuallyinput data input by the manually-numbering means is reflected, toseparate the automatically numbered parts from the manually numberedparts and totalizes the number of countable parts and the total lengthof uncountable parts to produce the quantity totalization result. 13.The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD according to claim 9, wherein the integrating meansseparates the automatically numbered parts from the manually numberedparts for quantity totalization, compares the information before arevision with the information after the revision, and adds a shortfallbefore the revision to the information after the revision when thenumber of parts before the revision is smaller than the number of partsafter the revision.
 14. The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD according to claim 9, wherein theextracting means gives attribute information representingparent-to-child relationship between the parts to a parts list extractedby the extracting means, reduces the parts numbers of child parts, amongthe parts that are different in all of a line name, a parts type, and asize or any of them, to the parts numbers of parent parts tocollectively number the parts, and totalizes the both the parent partsand the child parts.
 15. The quantity totalizer for thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD according to claim 9,wherein a symbol indicating that a yield rate is considered, the symbolbeing attribute information, is added to the line information toseparate parts for which the yield rate is considered from parts forwhich the yield rate is not considered; the parts information and theline information concerning uncountable parts stored in the database inthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD are extracted bythe extracting means for check to determine the uncountable parts forwhich the yield rate is considered; true lengths, which are the actuallengths of the uncountable parts, are calculated by the reducing meansfor the uncountable parts for which the yield rate is considered; andextra lengths, which is the difference between the true lengths and afixed length at the time of purchase, input in advance, are calculated.16. The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD according to claim 9, wherein a symbol indicating that ayield rate is considered, the symbol being attribute information, isadded to the line information to separate parts for which the yield rateis considered from parts for which the yield rate is not considered; theparts information and the line information concerning uncountable partsstored in the database in the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD are extracted by the extracting means for check todetermine the uncountable parts for which the yield rate is considered;a fixed length, which is the length of the uncountable parts at time ofpurchase, is input by the manually-numbering means; the fixed length issubtracted from true lengths, which are the lengths of the uncountableparts for which the yield rate is considered, when the true lengths arelarger than the fixed length to reduce the uncountable parts touncountable parts having lengths smaller than the fixed length; extralengths are calculated by subtracting the true lengths, which is theactual lengths of the uncountable parts, from the fixed length tocompare the true lengths of all the parts for which the extra lengthsare calculated with the extra lengths thereof; addition of a longesttrue length to a shortest extra length is repeated to reduce theuncountable parts to the countable parts having the fixed length; andthe number of the countable parts having the fixed length is totalized.17. The quantity totalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD according to claim 9, wherein a fixed length, which isthe length of uncountable parts at the time of purchase, is manuallyinput, by the manually-numbering means, in a parts list extracted by theextracting means, and the input information is reflected in a fixedlength column in the parts information stored in the database in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD.
 18. The quantitytotalizer for the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CADaccording to claim 9, wherein the line information is stored in a tabledifferent from a table including a fixed length and, when the lineinformation is specified, the fixed length of the correspondinguncountable parts is reflected in a parts list extracted by theextracting means.
 19. A quantity totalizing program for athree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, comprising:integrating means for referring to parts information stored in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and associating lineinformation, which is separated from the parts information for storageand which is unique to a line, with the parts information to generateintegrated information in which the quantity of parts is totalized;numbering means for systematically numbering the integrated informationand outputting a quantity totalization result; and comparing means forcomparing the quantity totalization result output by the numbering meanswith a parts number column in a design drawing produced with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check the partshaving the same parts information and line information against eachother and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in thedesign drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantity totalization resultoutput by the numbering means.
 20. A quantity totalizing program for athree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, comprising:integrating means for referring to parts information stored in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and associating lineinformation, which is separated from the parts information for storageand which is unique to a line, with the parts information to generateintegrated information in which the quantity of parts is totalized;numbering means for systematically numbering the integrated informationand outputting a quantity totalization result; comparing means forcomparing the quantity totalization result output by the numbering meanswith a parts number column in a design drawing produced with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check the partshaving the same parts information and line information against eachother and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in thedesign drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantity totalization resultoutput by the numbering means; extracting means for classifying theparts into automatically numbered parts and manually numbered parts andextracting the parts information and the line information, concerningthe manually numbered parts, from a database in the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD for check; and manually-numbering meansfor manually numbering the parts having the parts information and theline information extracted by the extracting means.
 21. A quantitytotalizing method for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD, comprising the steps of: referring to parts information stored inthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and associatingline information, which is separated from the parts information forstorage and which is unique to a line, with the parts information togenerate integrated information in which the quantity of parts istotalized; systematically numbering the integrated information andproducing a quantity totalization result; and comparing the quantitytotalization result with a parts number column in a design drawingproduced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD tocheck the parts having the same parts information and line informationagainst each other and replacing parts numbers in the parts numbercolumn in the design drawing produced with the three-dimensionalarrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantitytotalization result output by the numbering means.
 22. A quantitytotalizing method for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustmentCAD, comprising the steps of: referring to parts information stored inthe three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD, associating lineinformation, which is separated from the parts information for storageand which is unique to a line, with the parts information, referring tothe line information and the parts information stored in thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to classify parts intoautomatically numbered parts and manually numbered parts, andassociating the line information with the parts information to generateintegrated information in which the quantity of the parts is totalized;extracting the line information concerning the manually numbered partsfrom a database in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD,manually numbering the parts having the extracted line information, andsystematically numbering the integrated information to produce aquantity totalization result; comparing the quantity totalization resultwith a parts number column in a design drawing produced with thethree-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check the partshaving the same parts information and line information against eachother and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in thedesign drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement andadjustment CAD with parts numbers in the quantity totalization resultoutput by the numbering means.